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Jessica Minkoff is the Fashion Features Editor of Marie Claire. Prior to joining Hearst Corporation, Minkoff honed her writing skills and critical eye as a staff writer at Style.com. Currently, Minkoff is in the midst of New York Fashion Week, attending runway shows and presentations, reporting on the Spring/Summer 2014 collections for the magazine.

Interview

You recently moved to Marie Claire from Style.com. How do you like print vs. digital?

Working at Style.com was an amazing experience. It was my first job out of college and I learned so much working with the team over there. Everything about digital is fast paced and full speed ahead, so the energy and momentum there was always high (which I loved!). I moved over to Marie Claire because, despite everyone saying that print was a dying medium, I still had a passion for magazines. I really wanted to experience something new and I love seeing our pages evolve from an idea on a corkboard to a full-blown story with models and clothes and hair and makeup. There is a sense of excitement when each issue comes out—seeing the pages in print for the first time. It’s a feeling that I hadn’t felt before coming to Marie Claire.

Can you describe your role as Fashion Features Editor?

As Fashion Features Editor, I am really the only editor on the team who bridges the gap between both the fashion and the features department. I love the position because it marries my two passions of fashion and writing. In addition to working alongside the fashion department, I get to interview designers and models, so it’s a little bit of everything.

What are you looking for and concentrating on during show season as a features editor?

I am constantly looking for up and coming designers and new brands to put in the magazine. At the same time, I try to keep up with seasoned designers and all the projects they have in the works, whether it’s something new or not. In my position, it’s really important to keep an open ear to the ground so that I can deliver of-the-moment information as well as things that you will not find anywhere else.

How do you prepare for NYFW?

This season I was fortunate enough to take a ten-day vacation in LA about a week before the shows started. I sat by the pool and soaked up some much needed sun, which allowed me to come back to NYC relaxed and ready to face 12-hour days of back-to-back shows!

Which show do you anticipate each season? Who blows your mind?

I have been a huge fan of 3.1 Phillip Lim and Proenza Schouler for quite some time now. Every season, I anticipate seeing where those guys are going to take their aesthetic and they haven’t failed to impress me yet. Although I haven’t had the chance to go to Paris to see the shows (yet!), I always anticipate Balenciaga and Celine. You can usually find me glued to my computer, on Style.com (naturally) waiting to see the images!

We’re only a few days in, but any particular show/presentation that stood out to you so far?

Yes, so far I have loved Derek Lam, Alexander Wang, Altuzarra and Thakoon. Obvious choices I know. And also Helmut Lang!

Have you found the secret method of transport to getting around the city to shows?

Not yet! If anyone has the answer, please share it with me! I have to say that traveling from show to show is really the only non-enjoyable thing about fashion week for me. If every show were in one place, I would be a happy girl.

About how many shows are you attending each day?

10 to 12.

Are you heading to Europe?

Yes, I am so excited! It will be my first time going abroad for fashion week. I’m headed to London on Friday night and I can’t wait to see Christopher Kane, Erdem, Preen, Burberry Prorsum, and J.W. Anderson.